Art of Italy

Gothic Period

The Gothic period marks a transition from the medieval to the Renaissance and is characterised by the styles and attitudes nurtured by the influence of the Dominican and Franciscan order of monks, founded by Saint Dominic (1170 to 1221) and Saint Francis of Assisi (1181 to 1226) respectively.

Related Topics:
Gothic period - Medieval - Renaissance - Dominican - Franciscan - Dominic - 1170 - 1221 - Francis of Assisi - 1181 - 1226

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It was a time of religious disputes within the church. The Franciscans and Dominicans were founded as an attempt to address these disputes and bring the Roman Catholic church back to basics. The early days of the Franciscans are remembered especially for the compassion of Saint Francis, while the Dominicans are remembered as the order most responsible for the beginnings of the Inquisition.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Inquisition

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Gothic architecture began in northern Europe and spread southward to Italy.

Related Topics:
Gothic architecture - Europe

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The earliest important monument of the Italian Gothic style is the great church at Assisi. The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St Francis) is a World Heritage Site. The Franciscan monastery and the lower and upper church (Basilica inferiore e superiore) of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed 1253. The lower church has frescos by Cimabue and Giotto di Bondone. In the Upper church are frescos of scenes in the life of St Francis by Giotto and his circle.

Related Topics:
World Heritage Site - 1228 - 1253 - Fresco - Cimabue - Giotto di Bondone

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Cenni di Petro (Giovanni) Cimabue (c.1240-1302} and Giotto di Bondone (better known as just Giotto) (1267-1337), were two of the first painters who began to move toward the role of the artist as a creative individual, rather than a mere copier of traditional forms. They began to take an interest in improving the depiction of the figure. The Byzantine style was unrealistic and could be improved upon by a return to forms achieved in ancient Greece.

Related Topics:
1240 - 1302 - 1267 - 1337

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Other terms sometimes applied to describe the artists of this period are The Primitives and the Early Renaissance.

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